Tips For Parents of an 8-10 Year Old Child

By eight years of age, your child is ready to growresponsibilities around the house. Talk to your child
socially and will need some guidance from you aboutabout their expanding role in the house. It is helpful if
what is appropriate. Up to this point, your parenting jobthose new responsibilities or chores are written down
has been teaching your child very basic things likeand placed in a spot where everybody can see them.
walking and talking. Now, the child is ready to startAs the child grows, they are more likely to take your
moving into adolescence and your job shifts a bit.directions in stride and put up less of a fight than when
With this new age group, you are ready to set newthey were in their toddler years. It is normal for some
rules. Discuss the new or expanded set of rules andback talking or resistance to show up, but don't sweat
consequences with your child. Talk with your childit. Stick with your rules and the consequences you
about their new found freedom, so to speak. Let themhave set when the rules are broken. Your child still
know what your idea of proper behavior is while theyneeds your guidance and will look to you to lead them
are at a friend's house. This may be a good time toin the right direction.
set restrictions on activities that may not be safe forDo you want to learn exactly how to eliminate your
them. For example, they can walk across the street tochild's out-of-control and defiant behavior without using
their friend's house(with your permission), but theyPunishments, Time-Outs, Behavioral Plans, or
cannot walk to the corner market.Rewards?
Children of this age are ready to take on more